To my Mum

Date: 02 March 2008 16:21:51

My Mum is a top mum. That's official. As I can't be with her today I thought I would pay tribute to her on my blog, just in case she ever manages to find it!!

Don't get me wrong, Mum and I definitely don't see eye to eye on everything and we have moments when we really clash, but basically we get on great. Having been back home recently for Gran Nora's funeral it has reminded me how precious my family and what a privilege it is to have a Mum that I can rely on and who I enjoy spending time with. When I was home for the funeral I spent loads of time with Mum, sorting out bits and pieces, walking, playing Scrabble etc. It was a lovely time for us both and I miss her very, very much, especially on a day when we remember how important our Mum's are to us.

I am also very lucky as my Mum has three brilliant sisters and her older sisters are both like extra mums for me (her younger sister is more like an older sister to me I guess). Having three mums is even better than just having one... they are all good at different things and sometimes there is an advantage in being able to talk to someone different.

Oh, I also have a surrogate mum whose name is Gill. When I moved to live on the mainland I adopted myself a family, Auntie Billie's family in fact. They had so many children that another one didn't make much difference. In fact very often people who don't know that family just assume that I am another of their daughters. Gill is fantastic and provides a maternal role when I just can't get to my own Mum. Without Gill and her family my life would be infinitely poorer (admittedly my alcohol intake might also be less, as I was out with them all last night and they certainly know how to party!!)

So, I am very fortunate. I have one Mum with a capital M and three other mums. That has to be a good thing. At church this morning we were given a little posy of flowers to give to our mums.... so here it is Mum... not the real thing but as close as I could get (the real thing has gone to Gill... I am sure you won't mind, but I didn't think the flowers would travel too well.)

I love you Mum.